Evacuations As Cyclone Nears India’s East Coast

Updated at 7:09 am, October 12th, 2013

Digital Vision/Getty Images(NEW DELHI) — A powerful cyclone the size of Hurricane Katrina is closing in on the east coast of India and hundreds of thousands have been moved to higher ground for safety.

According to BBC News, residents were moved inland to storm shelters to protect themselves from Cyclone Phailin. Few people remained outside, where businesses — including gas stations — have been shut down.

Experts anticipate heavy rain and strong winds that will last for hours. Indian officials expect the storm surge to be deadly.

The cyclone could make landfall in Orissa, where a deadly super-cyclone hit in 1999 killing over 10,000. Officials tell BBC News that they are better prepared for this storm than in 1999.